Chapter 167 [VIP]
Shen Xu's voice was soft and gentle, as if he were saying something that was taken for granted.
The Prince of Jin felt a chill run down his spine and his eyes widened in shock.
"You framed me?!" King Jin exclaimed in surprise.
He then shook his head and said, "The Emperor will never believe your one-sided story. Don't try to fool me with such words."
Despite saying that, the Prince of Jin was somewhat uneasy.
Shen Xu is one of the very few people who can speak with the emperor. Last time, the emperor suspected him because Shen Xu was the one who sowed discord among them.
After that, the relationship between the emperor and him deteriorated day by day.
The Prince of Jin's expression changed several times in an instant. He stared intently at Shen Xu, trying to find some flaws in his face.
However, all he received was, "Has Your Highness made up your mind?"
"Meow."
The cat sensed a pleasant aura, and its little nose twitched.
Just as it was about to pounce, Shen Xu slapped it down.
The Prince of Jin stared at the severed hand in the foreigner's hand, weighing his options in secret.
“Go,” Shen Xu’s eyes were deep, his fingertips tracing the sleek fur of the cat, his tone cold, “serve Prince Jin well.”
"yes."
Two guards obeyed and stepped forward, whips in hand.
The whip was jet black, with over a hundred sharp barbs at the end, and it had been soaked in chili water. When the whip struck, the barbs scraped against the skin, tearing off a layer of flesh.
This was merely the lightest form of punishment imposed by the Eastern Depot.
"No need for Governor Shen to take action, I say."
"I have never colluded with the Ji family, nor did I know that Changfeng was a heretic."
The Prince of Jin flatly denied any wrongdoing, straightened his back, and said, "The Grand Eunuch may report my words to the Emperor."
"I am utterly loyal to Your Majesty and am willing to do anything for you," he said meaningfully, then added, "I beg Your Majesty to see the truth."
These familiar stories did not arouse Shen Xu's interest in the slightest.
Snap! The guard lashed out with his long whip, striking the Prince of Jin's arm unexpectedly.
The Prince of Jin screamed in agony.
"Shen Xu!"
How dare you shout at the Eunuch! The guard raised his whip again, expressionless.
Gu Zhizhuo: "Wait a minute."
The long whip was held in the hand of the guard, who raised his hand high but did not pull it down. The whip tip, hanging down, was reflected in the pupils of the Prince of Jin.
“Your Highness, once you are injured, you will never heal. Your wounds will bleed continuously until you become a dried-up corpse and die.”
"Do you really dare to take a second lash?"
The Prince of Jin stared wide-eyed.
He stared intently at his arm; the barbs on the whip tore open his sleeve, peeled away his skin, and bright red blood slowly dripped down.
He suddenly thought of something extremely terrifying: what if Gu Zhizhuo was right and his wound couldn't heal?
The hundred or so barbs left at least a hundred small cuts on his body. If all these cuts bled uncontrollably, bleeding to death would be the best outcome.
I fear that I will end up like Yun'er, living a life worse than death.
Gu Zhizhuo gazed at his surprised and uncertain face, and spoke again: "Does Your Highness remember that I once told your fortune?"
The Prince of Jin was startled and jumped in fright.
Gu Zhizhuo repeated softly, "From now on, fame and fortune will be nothing, and the bloodline will be severed right before our eyes."
Prince of Jin: !
Of course he remembered that after that day, he went to Taiqing Temple, Longhu Temple, Yuanshi Temple... He went to all the Taoist temples in the capital region and sought out several highly accomplished Taoist masters.
They had divined his fate and tried to dispel his bad luck, all saying there was nothing to worry about, so he didn't take it to heart, thinking that Gu Zhizhuo was just talking nonsense and showing off.
He had gradually forgotten, but now, listening to Gu Zhizhuo repeat these words, Prince Jin felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head in the dead of winter.
I was freezing cold.
With Yun'er in this state, there is almost no hope left. Will the Prince of Jin's bloodline really be cut off?
What was the purpose of his life's relentless pursuit of success?
Blood dripped from the Prince of Jin's arm, falling onto the ground.
He absolutely hated the emperor.
Changfeng had met all of the late emperor's sons. Apart from the deposed crown prince, only Prince Rong at the time possessed a faint trace of imperial aura. Therefore, only Prince Rong had the potential to succeed.
He helped him succeed.
He promised him the highest position in the court.
And now, just because of Shen Xu's few words of provocation, he is going to abandon himself.
At this critical juncture, they kicked him while he was down and handed him over to Shen Xu.
“Your Highness is a clever man.” Gu Zhizhuo played with the pendant hanging from the round fan. “The Eastern Depot is on orders to interrogate, and a few lashes won’t hurt. But, Your Highness, can you take it?”
After saying that, he smiled at Chen Xu: "Right, Chief Supervisor?"
Shen Xu gave a cold snort, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Prince Jin calmed down. Indeed, even if Shen Xu didn't dare to openly harm him, he could still take advantage of the interrogation to lash him a few times. He might not have been afraid before, but now, he didn't dare to take a single lash.
He will die.
They will die like Changfeng, neither human nor ghost.
He gritted his teeth and said to Shen Xu, "I can testify that Changfeng is a heretic. Ten years ago, he colluded with bandits to frame the Yin family of Blackwater Fortress. Six years ago, the late emperor invited Changfeng to preach during his southern tour and accidentally discovered this matter. He then secretly poisoned the late emperor."
"All of this was done by the evil Taoist Changfeng."
"I allowed the sorcerer to reside in my residence solely to uncover the truth. Now the truth is clear. As for his collusion with the Ji family, I was unaware of it."
The Prince of Jin said righteously and sternly, "Lord Shen, please go and report."
Shen Xu gripped the armrest of the armchair, the veins on the back of his hand bulging.
Prince Jin went a step further: "Shen Xu, no matter how much the Emperor suspects me, he won't easily abandon me."
"Your life, death, honor, and disgrace now rest entirely on the Emperor's shoulders. Do you really want to fight me to the death? Let's stop here and settle our grievances another day."
"I will not hold this lash against you; consider it repayment for the blood debt of Blackwater Fortress."
With a flick of his sleeve, the Prince of Jin revealed his bloodied arm and tattered clothes, making him look rather disheveled.
"how?"
Shen Xu remained silent for a long time.
Gu Zhizhuo understood his decision.
Prince Jin had too much leverage over the emperor, and not just the emperor, but also countless people he had openly or secretly placed among the officials over the years, gathering countless pieces of information on them. Just like when Prince Jin placed the actress Se Se next to the eldest princess, it easily brought down both Gong Hai and the eldest princess.
Therefore, even though the Prince of Jin was imprisoned for several days, he was not afraid at all.
He said all this only to warn the emperor through Shen Xu's words, so that the emperor would not dare to easily abandon him.
Exonerating the Yin family was Shen Xu's Achilles' heel.
As for the cause of the late emperor's death... it doesn't matter whether it was Changfeng, the Prince of Jin, or the emperor who poisoned the late emperor. What matters is that the deposed crown prince was deposed for regicide and patricide. Once it is proven that the deposed crown prince was not involved in this matter, the prince, as the grandson of the crown prince, will be free of any stain.
In just a few words, the King of Jin proposed a condition that would benefit all parties and that none would be willing to refuse.
"Your Highness," Gu Zhizhuo said with a smile, bargaining, "how about adding the Five Armies Commandery as well?"
Prince Jin frowned slightly: "What do you mean?"
"The young master is half-dead, so he probably can't take up the post of Left Commander. Your Highness might as well do him a favor."
Prince Jin suddenly looked at Gu Zhizhuo, his eyes flashing with sharp light: "You really dare to want it!"
"In business, you set a price, so you have to allow me to negotiate," Gu Zhizhuo said with a smile, fanning himself with a round fan. "Can the young master still mount a horse and go out now?"
"Anyway, the Crown Prince hasn't taken office yet, so the Prince can just sit idly by and hold the position of Left Commander."
The Five Military Commands controlled the military registers, selected generals, and commanded the Imperial Guards. He had finally obtained them, and to hand them over would be no different than cutting off his own arm.
Prince Jin stared intently at her: "Miss Gu has quite the appetite."
"Your Highness, will you give it to me or not?"
The King of Jin remained silent for a long time.
He had long heard of Miss Gu's ruthless nature, and this time, she had come after him.
"I will give it to him. However..." His gaze shifted back and forth between Gu Zhizhuo and Shen Xu, a forced smile on his face, "Whom should I give this 'favor' to?"
Prince Jin had no way of knowing what kind of relationship existed between Shen Xu and Miss Gu.
He could only guess that either Shen Xu had sided with Xie Yingchen, or he had a collaboration with Xie Yingchen, and Miss Gu was now representing Xie Yingchen.
Regardless of whether it was the former or the latter, Shen Xu had gone to great lengths, only to end up securing the Imperial Guard for Xie Yingchen. How could he be content with that?
If a "Left Admiral" could turn the two against each other, it would undoubtedly be a win.
Miss Gu is too impatient.
That's too greedy.
"What do you say, Commander?" Gu Zhizhuo asked, turning his head slightly with a faint smile. It was as if they weren't talking about the Five Armies Commandery, but rather a small trinket that could be bought anywhere on the street.
"Whatever." Shen Xu's tone was full of annoyance and impatience.
His emotions were almost completely suppressed; his eyes were narrowed, and his gaze was filled with violence.
"I decide?"
Shen Xu remained silent.
"Mr. Sheng, would you be interested in staying somewhere else for a while?"
Upon hearing this, both Sheng Jiang and Prince Jin looked at her.
Wait a minute! He didn't even consult Xie Yingchen before making this decision on his own?! Prince Jin was stunned. This was the Five Armies Commandery!
Shen Xu lifted his eyelids, glanced at Gu Zhizhuo, and said, "Okay."
Sheng Jiang was both surprised and delighted. He wanted to grin, but he didn't want to lose face in front of the Commander-in-Chief, so his face kept twitching. Although he would definitely take over as the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard after the New Year, the Left Admiral, a first-rank official, was in charge of all the troops in the country. How could a mere commander compare to him?
Gu Zhizhu clapped his hands lightly and said happily, "Your Highness, it's settled."
The unequal distribution of spoils that the Prince of Jin had anticipated did not occur at all.
With such a suspicious mindset, has Shen Xu never considered that Gu Zhizhuo is trying to win over Sheng Jiang?
Sheng Jiang is Shen Xu's confidant, so he shouldn't be so indifferent. Shen Xu's attitude made Prince Jin somewhat puzzled.
Shen Xu released the small jade pendant he was holding in his palm; a few traces of blood remained on the pendant.
His mind had calmed down.
With a single glance, Sheng Jiang immediately understood and ordered the preparation of writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Sheng Jiang said coldly, "Your Highness, sign and put your fingerprint on this document."
The long table was moved to the front of the Prince of Jin.
Prince Jin sighed inwardly, knowing that writing down his confession would be tantamount to breaking ties with the emperor.
However, he still had to find a way to make a living.
The Prince of Jin steeled his heart, picked up his pen, and wrote everything down in a few quick strokes. Then, he slumped his hands against the table, letting the blood drip down his face.
Gu Zhizhuo raised an eyebrow at Shen Xu. See, a small frame-up is enough to make these two bite each other and tear off a piece of flesh.
Hmph. Shen Xu made a sound through his nose, too lazy to pay her any attention.
The ink dried quickly, and Sheng Jiang presented his statement to Shen Xu.
After Shen Xu finished reading, he gestured for Gu Zhizhuo to take a look as well, and then said, "Sign your name."
He exuded a cold aura, as if it were the coldest time of winter.
Sheng Jiang pressed down on Prince Jin, smeared his own blood on the confession, and pressed a bloody handprint on it.
"You deliver it yourself."
Shen Xu was speaking to Sheng Jiang.
Sheng Jiang bowed in agreement and withdrew respectfully.
After he went outside, he finally couldn't stop his face from twitching, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a wide smile.
The position of Left Admiral of the Five Military Commands is the pinnacle for a military general. To say that he wasn't tempted would be a lie.
The guards exchanged bewildered glances and silently took a step back. Why was Deputy Commander Sheng laughing like he was possessed by a ghost?
Hehehe. A first-rank official! Sheng Jiangxin was overjoyed. Even when riding a horse, the horse bounced and swayed from side to side.
Sheng Jiang rushed back to Hanzhang Palace.
Hanzhang Palace is exactly the same as when he left.
Sheng Jiang inquired about who was inside and sent someone in to announce their arrival.
As the door was pushed open, the emperor's furious voice burst into my ears.
“The deposed crown prince murdered the emperor and his father, which is intolerable to Heaven and Earth. How can Xie Yingchen be entrusted with the important task of regent?”
"I am still alive, and I have a son."
"It's not Xie Yingchen's place to overstep his bounds!"
The emperor leaned back on his couch, his face grim. He shouted loudly, trying to intimidate everyone with his imperial might.
Whether it was his imagination or not, Sheng Jiang noticed that the emperor looked even more frail. He resembled an old man in his twilight years, anxiously passing his final days.
The thought flashed through Sheng Jiang's mind.
The emperor cast a glance his way, and despite his obvious rage, Sheng Jiang showed no fear whatsoever.
"Your Majesty," Sheng Jiang bowed and said, "Prince Jin has confessed."
Confessed?
Oh, right. The emperor was so angry he almost forgot.
Just now, Ah Xu said that he had captured a sorcerer, who was the one who secretly helped the Ji family plant witchcraft on him.
Ah Xu also said that the sorcerer was captured at the Prince of Jin's residence, and he asked Ah Xu to go and ask him.
"Your Majesty, this is the Prince of Jin's confession, which has already been signed."
"Go get it."
The emperor spoke to Inshin.
Sheng Jiang handed over the signed and sealed confession to Yin Xin.
The two exchanged a glance without making a sound. Sheng Jiang tapped his index finger twice, and Yin Xin presented it to him personally.
Was it really the Prince of Jin who sent the Ji family to harm him? The emperor opened the confession with a dark expression. The words on it were densely written, and he struggled to decipher them, his eyes blurry.
"Your Majesty, would you like me to read it to you?" Yin Xin asked, bowing.
The emperor waved his hand: "You may leave."
He wanted to get rid of Xie Yingchen.
Xie Yingchen remained motionless, his thoughtful gaze fixed on the confession. A faint smile played on his lips as he said gently, "We cannot hear the Prince of Jin's confession?"
"Your Majesty, you say that the Ji family cast a spell on you, causing you to act erratically. But whether it was a spell or something else, that's only your side of the story."
"Now that the Prince of Jin has confessed, we should read and listen to his confession."
His eyes were gentle, but his words were sharp.
The emperor gripped the brocade quilt tightly, and after a moment said coldly, "Read it!"
Yin Xin agreed, his face drooping, looking unsmiling, and he read each word very clearly.
When he mentioned Blackwater Fortress, the emperor didn't react much.
But then he abruptly changed the subject: "Six years ago, the sorcerer Changfeng poisoned the late emperor during his southern tour and framed the crown prince, which led to the late emperor's sudden death..."
The emperor's pupils contracted sharply, and his voice tightened.
"Shut up!"
"What did you say!?"
The Emperor and Prince Li spoke at the same time.
Prince Li shouted, "Give it to me now!"
"Give it to me."
Yin Xin presented the confession with both hands, but the emperor rushed to take it, only to be too late; Xie Yingchen had intercepted it.
The emperor grasped at empty air, his fingers snapping shut. He stared at Xie Yingchen with murderous intent.
"Give it to me."
He said coldly, "Xie Yingchen, do you dare to defy the imperial decree?"
Holding the confession, Xie Yingchen stared intently at the emperor like a drawn blade.
He said, “Your Majesty, it is common knowledge that the late Emperor died suddenly from poisoning. Your Majesty was extremely filial to the late Emperor and extremely loyal to your brothers. Don’t you want the truth to come to light for the world?”
"Or do you already know that there are other hidden reasons behind the death of the Emperor's grandfather?"
A note from the author:
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